James Burrows, director of classic sitcoms including 'Cheers' and 'Friends,' dies at 85 PBS NewsHour By: Beth Harris Β· Associated Press 19 June 2026 at 21:18 Burrows spent his career behind the camera specializing in situation comedies. Few viewers recognized him or knew his name, other than to see it flash quickly on the screen in the opening credits. But they knew his work.